2006-09-12 17:58:37 · 13 answers · asked by girl 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If he's only doing it occasionally, then he's probably just grooming himself, but if he's doing it all the time, then it's quite possibly an allergy and/or a behavioural problem. Some dogs can become quite obsessive and just lick the same area over and over.
If he is licking constantly, keep a close eye on him. Animals can cause fairly serious damage to themselves in a very short period of time and can end up with anything from a bit of hair loss to really nasty infections.
(My own dog wears boots on his front paws when there is nobody home with him because he can turn the skin between his toes from normal to a blistered, oozing mess in a matter of hours just from licking, though his problem is mainly allergy-related.)
2006-09-12 22:15:03 · answer #1 · answered by Loz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
usually when a dog licks it's paws it's due to allergies -either seasonal, environmental or food allergies could be the cause.
My dog gets seasonal allergies, usually in late spring and summer and he licks his paws a lot during this time. When I notice him licking his paws I wash his feet and then apply a little foot powder between his toes and pads to help ease the itching. This usually does the trick. I also keep his pad hairs trimmed quite short to let air get to the area between his pads, and when his allergies are real bad I give him a little children's benedryl.
2006-09-12 18:23:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's cleaning/grooming himself. It could also be that he's licking something off that he picked up on a walk. It's totally normal behavior, but if you notice him licking an area much more than usual, you should check for a cut, because that's what they do when they are injured too.
2006-09-12 18:07:06 · answer #3 · answered by sherryberry74 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My dogs do the same. They're cleaning themselves - like we take showers. Sometimes, they pick up a scent on their paws and lick it.
2006-09-12 18:08:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personal Hygene
2006-09-12 18:09:56 · answer #5 · answered by me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your dog is over weight , then it could be the starting sign of diabetes. If not , then it could be nerves, its kind of like a little child sucking on their thumb, its soothing to them. Don't let them do it excessively because it can cause sores.
2006-09-12 18:20:08 · answer #6 · answered by MONTANA WILD CHILD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be for several reasons...
However the main are:
1. Allergies
or
2. Being bored (If you do not work your dog)
2006-09-12 20:35:34 · answer #7 · answered by Brittany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be allergies to carpet or some household chemicals you use or to dust and pollen.
2006-09-12 18:04:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just a way of cleaning itself, like cats.
2006-09-12 18:03:26 · answer #9 · answered by Monzi 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
food allergies are a big factor in them doing this
2006-09-13 00:33:02 · answer #10 · answered by badgirl41 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋